Teaching the previously dreaded analysis skill becomes an anticipated opportunity for discovery and reasoned defense with a new approach. Get students into analytical reading and writing using a series of engaging warm-up activities that will spark interest, inspire investigation, and boost confidence. No more dry and boring book talks! Guide students through the fields of art and music first. Transition to crime scene analysis to make clue searching fun again. Involve AI if you dare. When students finally land in the world of text, they will know how to argue for their interpretation with conviction and solid evidence. Come learn new ways to approach analysis!
Blog Archives
Pedagogies of Voice
This session addresses the knowing-doing gap that keeps us from implementing an equity-centered, inclusive pedagogy in the face of global unrest. Grounded in seminal frameworks like Understanding by Design and the work of Paolo Freire, bell hooks, and Gloria Ladson-Billings, we will explore the intersection of equity and pedagogy and the toxins that incarcerate our imaginations. The session focuses on elevating student voice and agency, while empowering teachers as healers and community-builders. In light of rising political censorship and systemic inequities, participants will explore concrete tools and practices for transformative, equity-driven pedagogy that fosters Identity, Belonging, Inquiry, and Efficacy, the four domains of Agency, for both educators and students within today’s tumultuous global context.
Living the Life of a Writer: 6 Practices Student Writers Have, Know, and Do
Everyone is a writer. We write texts and emails. We write for ourselves and for others. We write novels or write about novels. Inviting students into living the life of a writer shifts the focus of our instruction from the writing to the writer. In this session, educator and author Jen Vincent will guide you through the six practices writers have, know, and do while sharing strategies you can try tomorrow with student writers.
Get Connected: Working with Your School Librarian
Long-time teacher, new school librarian Jennifer Connolly will take you on a quick journey of her first year in the library and explore ways to build connections between students and books, between teachers and librarians, and between libraries and communities. With tips from how to better your readers’ advisory to ideas and plans on how to build programs that connect classrooms and library spaces, let’s look at ways to get connected that benefit students and teachers alike. How can we use this collaboration to foster reading growth and help students become “real” readers?
Pages of Joy, Stories of Pride: A Novel Approach to Centering Queer Literature
When representation is lacking, children can be made to feel invisible, unimportant, or even unworthy. Representation that is filled with stereotypes and misconceptions can perpetuate biases, divisiveness, and hate. This presentation intends to do the opposite, celebrating books that center LGBTQ+ characters with joy and love. We will feature books for all ages—board and picture books, middle grade, YA, and books for grown-ups.
Getting Creative with Nonfiction
Nonfiction isn’t just a five-paragraph essay, but when was the last time you’ve flexed your own creative muscles when it comes to writing true stories? This workshop blends the best of both learning about the fantastic world of nonfiction and trying your own hand at writing a short work of nonfiction. Attendees will walk away with an understanding of the different forms of nonfiction, appreciation and inspiration for the ways information can be presented, and recommendations for some of the best young adult nonfiction available today. Sharing in this workshop is welcome, though it will not be required.